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Designation: C125 − 20

Standard Terminology Relating to

Concrete and Concrete Aggregates1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C125; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This standard is a compilation of definitions of terms as
they are used in standards under the jurisdiction of Committee
C09.
1.2 Other terminology under the jurisdiction of Committee
C09 is included in two specialized standards. Terms relating to
constituents of concrete aggregates are defined in Descriptive
Nomenclature C294. Terms relating to constituents of aggre-
gates for radiation-shielding concrete are defined in Descrip-
tive Nomenclature C638.
1.3 Related terminology for hydraulic cement is included in
iTeh Standards
Terminology C219. In the event of conflict between definitions
in Terminology C125 and definitions in Terminology C219,
C09 standards. (https://standards.iteh.ai)
definitions in Terminology C125 shall govern for Committee
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
C94/C94M Specification for Ready-Mixed Concrete
C143/C143M Test Method for Slump of Hydraulic-Cement
Concrete
C219 Terminology Relating to Hydraulic and Other Inor-
ganic Cements
C294 Descriptive Nomenclature for Constituents of Con-
crete Aggregates
C403/C403M Test Method for Time of Setting of Concrete
Mixtures by Penetration Resistance
C494/C494M Specification for Chemical Admixtures for
Concrete
C511 Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets,
Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the
Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes

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1.4 When a term is used in an ASTM standard for which
Committee C09 is responsible, it is included herein only if used
in more than one Committee C09 standard.
NOTE 1—The subcommittee responsible for this standard will review
definitions on a five-year basis to determine if the definitionASTM C125-20
is still
appropriate as stated. Revisions will be made when determined necessary.
Thehttps://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/56436281-9416-46a8-a8f1-004614cff065/astm-c125-20
year shown in parentheses at the end of a definition indicates the year
the definition or revision to the definition was approved. A letter R and a
year indicate when the definition was reviewed. No date indicates the term
has not yet been reviewed.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C09.91 on Terminology.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2020. Published February 2020. Originally
approved in 1936. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as C125 – 19a. DOI:
10.1520/C0125-20.
C638 Descriptive Nomenclature of Constituents of Aggre-
gates for Radiation-Shielding Concrete
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
C939 Test Method for Flow of Grout for Preplaced-
Aggregate Concrete (Flow Cone Method)
C1074 Practice for Estimating Concrete Strength by the
Maturity Method
C1077 Practice for Agencies Testing Concrete and Concrete
Aggregates for Use in Construction and Criteria for
Testing Agency Evaluation
C1240 Specification for Silica Fume Used in Cementitious
Mixtures
C1437 Test Method for Flow of Hydraulic Cement Mortar
C1610/C1610M Test Method for Static Segregation of Self-
Consolidating Concrete Using Column Technique
C1611/C1611M Test Method for Slump Flow of Self-
Consolidating Concrete
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

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1
 C125 − 20
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
3. Terms and Their Definitions
absorption, n—the process by which a liquid is drawn into and
tends to fill permeable pores in a porous solid body; also, the
increase in mass of a porous solid body resulting from the
penetration of a liquid into its permeable pores. (R2008)
DISCUSSION—In the case of concrete and concrete aggregates, unless
otherwise stated, the liquid involved is water, the increase in mass is
that which does not include water adhering to the outside surface, the
increase in mass is expressed as a percentage of the dry mass of the
body and the body is considered to be “dry” when it has been treated
by an appropriate process to remove uncombined water, such as drying
to constant mass at a temperature between 100 and 110°C.
acceptable range, n—the difference between the largest and
smallest of three or more test determinations that is expected
to be exceeded with a probability of about 5 % in the normal
and correct operation of the test method. (2019)
DISCUSSION—The acceptable range can be used as an index of
precision for test methods that define a test result as the average of three
or more test determinations.
accreditation, n—of testing agency, a process by which an
evaluation authority attests that a testing agency has dem-
dance with a standard. (2011) iTeh Standards
onstrated the competency to perform specific tasks in accor-
titious material, and fiber (https://standards.iteh.ai)
admixture, n—a material other than water, aggregates, cemen-
reinforcement that is used as an
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and that is added to Preview
ingredient of a cementitious mixture to modify its freshly
mixed, setting, or hardened properties
the batch before or during its mixing. (R2015) DISCUSSION—The definitions are alternatives to be applied under
differing circumstances. Definition (1) is applied to an entire aggregate
accelerating admixture, n—an admixture that increases the
ASTM
rate of reaction of cementitious materials thus reducing C125-20
time of
either in a natural condition or after processing. Definition (2) is applied
to a portion of an aggregate. Requirements for properties and grading
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/56436281-9416-46a8-a8f1-004614cff065/astm-c125-20
setting and increasing early strength development of a cemen- should be stated in the specification.
titious mixture. (2015)
air-entraining admixture, n—admixture that causes the de-
velopment of a system of microscopic air bubbles in concrete
or mortar during mixing. (R2008)
chemical admixture, n—an admixture in the form of a liquid,
suspension, or water-soluble solid. (2014)
extended set-control admixture, n—an admixture that can
predictably reduce the hydration rate of cement for applications
requiring extended time of setting followed by normal strength
development. (2019)
DISCUSSION—Depending on dosage rate, this admixture can be used
to manage the setting time of returned concrete, reduce the hydration of
cement in wash water from concrete production, permit extended
delivery times of ready mixed concrete, or function as an ordinary
retarding admixture. Also referred to as a hydration controlling
admixture or a hydration stabilizing admixture.
mineral admixture, n—deprecated term. (R2008)
DISCUSSION—This term has been used to refer to different types of
water insoluble, finely divided materials such as pozzolanic materials,
cementitious materials, and aggregate. These materials are not similar,
and it is not useful to group them under a single term. The name of the
specific material should be used, for example, use “pozzolan,” “slag
cement,” or “finely divided aggregate,” as is appropriate.
2
retarding admixture, n—an admixture that decreases the rate
of reaction of cementitious materials thus increasing time of
setting of a cementitious mixture. (2015)
water-reducing admixture, n—admixture that either in-
creases the slump of freshly mixed mortar or concrete without
increasing the water content or that maintains the slump with a
reduced amount of water due to factors other than air entrain-
ment. (R2008)
water-reducing admixture, high-range, n—a water-reducing
admixture capable of producing at least 12 % reduction of
water content when tested in accordance with Specification
C494/C494M and meeting the other relevant requirements of
Specification C494/C494M. (R2008)
age, equivalent, n—the number of days or hours of curing of
a concrete mixture at a specified temperature required to
produce a maturity equal to the maturity achieved by a given
curing period at concrete temperatures different from the
specified temperature. (2015)
DISCUSSION—The specified temperature is taken typically as the
temperature used for standard laboratory curing. For example, a
concrete cured for three days at an elevated temperature may have an
equivalent age of seven days of curing at the standard laboratory
temperature.
aggregate, n—granular material, such as sand, gravel, crushed
stone, or iron blast-furnace slag, used with a cementing
medium to form hydraulic-cement concrete or mortar.
(R2008)
coarse aggregate, n—(1) aggregate predominantly retained
on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve; or (2) that portion of an
aggregate retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve. (R2008)
fine aggregate, n—(1) aggregate passing the 9.5-mm (3⁄8-in.)
sieve and almost entirely passing the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve
and predominantly retained on the 75-µm (No. 200) sieve; or
(2) that portion of an aggregate passing the 4.75-mm (No. 4)
sieve and retained on the 75-µm (No. 200) sieve. (R2008)
DISCUSSION—The definitions are alternatives to be applied under
differing circumstances. Definition (1) is applied to an entire aggregate
either in a natural condition or after processing. Definition (2) is applied
to a portion of an aggregate. Requirements for properties and grading
should be stated in the specifications.
heavyweight aggregate, n—see high-density aggregate.
high-density aggregate, n—aggregate with relative density
greater than 3.3, such as: barite, magnetite, limonite, ilmenite,
iron, or steel. (R2008)
lightweight aggregate, n—see low-density aggregate.
low-density aggregate, n—aggregate with bulk density less
than 1120 kg/m3 [70 lb/ft3], such as: pumice, scoria, volcanic
cinders, tuff, and diatomite; expanded or sintered clay, shale,
slate, diatomaceous shale, perlite, vermiculite, or slag; and end
products of coal or coke combustion. (R2008)
normal-density aggregate, n—aggregate that is neither high
nor low density. (R2008)
 C125 − 20
DISCUSSION—This term refers to aggregate with relative density
typically ranging between 2.4 and 3.0, or with bulk density typically
ranging between 1120 kg/m3 [70 lb/ft3] and 1920 kg/m3 [120 lb/ft3].
normalweight aggregate, n—see normal-density aggregate.
air content, n—the volume of air voids in cement paste,
mortar, or concrete, exclusive of pore space in aggregate
particles, usually expressed as a percentage of total volume
of the paste, mortar, or concrete. (R2008)
air-cooled blast-furnace slag—see blast-furnace slag, air-
cooled.
air, entrained, n—air voids, typically between 10 and 1000 µm
(1 mm) in diameter and spherical or nearly so, that are
incorporated intentionally into a cementitious mixture dur-
ing mixing by use of an air entraining admixture. (2012)
DISCUSSION—Entrained air is used primarily to increase the durability
of cementitious mixtures exposed to cycles of freezing and thawing in
wet environments. Entrained air may affect workability and strength of
a hardened cementitious mixture.
air, entrapped, n—air voids, typically 1 mm or larger in size
and mainly irregular in shape, that are incorporated uninten-
tionally into a cementitious mixture during mixing and
handling. (2012)
air void—see void, air.
bulk density, n—of aggregate, the mass of a unit volume of
bulk aggregate material (the unit volume includes the
volume of the individual particles and the volume of the
voids between the particles). (R2008)
DISCUSSION—This term replaces the deprecated term unit weight—of
aggregate.
calcined, adj—heated to a temperature less than the melting
point so as to bring about a decomposition, phase transition,
or removal of a volatile fraction of a solid material. (2012)
calibration, n—of measuring instrument, a process that, under
specified conditions and following a standard procedure,
establishes metrological traceability by determining: (1) the
relationship between the quantity values provided by mea-
surement standards or certified reference materials and the
corresponding indications from a measuring instrument or
system; and (2) the estimated uncertainty of measurements
made subsequently with the instrument or system. (2011)
DISCUSSION—Calibration takes into account systematic error (or bias)
of the measuring instrument or system as well as random error that is
associated with the use of the measurement instrument or system and
error associated with the measurement standards or certified reference
materials. Calibration should not be confused with an adjustment of a
measuring instrument or with verification of a measuring instrument.
Sometimes the first step alone is mistakenly called calibration, but
performing only the first step is the process of standardization. In tests

iTeh Standards
of concrete and concrete aggregates, standardization of measuring
authority, evaluation, n—an independent entity, apart from
instruments or systems is often sufficient.
the testing agency being evaluated, that has the capability to

(https://standards.iteh.ai)
cellular concrete—see concrete, cellular.
provide an unbiased evaluation of the technical activities of
concrete and concrete aggregates testing agencies. (2011)
cement, hydraulic, n—a cement that sets and hardens by
DISCUSSION—Two acceptable methods of evaluation are inspection

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chemical reaction with water and is capable of doing so
and accreditation, and these services are offered by various evaluation
authorities. under water. (R2015)
bias, n—the difference between the average value of a property cement, slag, n—granulated blast-furnace slag that has been
obtained by a given test method and the acceptedASTM ground to cement fineness, with or without additions, and
C125-20
reference
that is a hydraulic cement. (R2015)
or true value of that property. (2019)
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/56436281-9416-46a8-a8f1-004614cff065/astm-c125-20
DISCUSSION—Bias cannot be determined if an accepted reference cementitious material (hydraulic), n—an inorganic material
material is not available or if the property value can be determined only
by the given test method.
or a mixture of inorganic materials that sets and develops
strength by chemical reaction with water by formation of
blast-furnace slag, n—the nonmetallic product, consisting hydrates and is capable of doing so under water. (R2015)
essentially of silicates and aluminosilicates of calcium and
other bases, that is developed in a molten condition simul- cementitious material, supplementary, (SCM), n—an inor-
taneously with iron in a blast furnace. (R2008) ganic material that contributes to the properties of a cemen-
titious mixture through hydraulic or pozzolanic activity, or
blast-furnace slag, air-cooled , n—the material resulting from both. (R2015)
solidification of molten blast-furnace slag under atmospheric DISCUSSION—Some examples of supplementary cementitious materi-
conditions; subsequent cooling may be accelerated by appli- als are fly ash, silica fume, slag cement, rice husk ash, and natural
cation of water to the solidified surface. (R2008) pozzolans. In practice, these materials are used in combination with
portland cement.
blast-furnace slag, expanded, n—the low density cellular
material obtained by controlled processing of molten blast- cementitious mixture, n—any mixture containing cementi-
furnace slag with water or water and other agents, such as tious material and water. (2016)
steam or compressed air or both. (R2011) DISCUSSION—Paste, grout, mortar, and concrete are examples of
cementitious mixtures.
blast-furnace slag, granulated, n—the glassy, granular mate-
rial formed when molten blast-furnace slag is rapidly chilled, certification, n—of technician, a procedure to determine and
as by immersion in water. (R2008) attest in writing that an individual is qualified to perform
specific test methods or practices. (R2015)
bleeding, n—the autogenous flow of mixing water within, or
its emergence from, a newly placed cementitious mixture compound, curing, n—a liquid that, when applied to the
caused by the settlement of the solid materials within the surface of freshly-placed concrete, forms a membrane that
mass. (R2013) impedes the evaporation of water. (2018)

3

DISCUSSION—White pigmented curing compounds reflect solar radia-
tion and reduce surface heating.
concrete, n—a composite material that consists essentially of a
binding medium within which are embedded particles or
fragments of aggregate; in hydraulic-cement concrete, the
binder is formed from a mixture of hydraulic cement and
water. (R2015)
concrete, cellular, n—a low-density cementitious mixture
having a homogeneous void or cell structure attained using
gas-forming chemicals or foaming agents. (2016)
concrete, fresh, n—concrete that possesses enough of its
original workability so that it can be placed and consolidated
by the intended methods. (2016)
concrete, hardened, n—concrete that has developed sufficient
strength to serve some defined purpose or resist a stipulated
loading without failure. (R2015)
concrete, pervious, n—hydraulic-cement concrete propor-
tioned with sufficient, distributed, interconnected macro-
scopic voids that allow water to flow through the material
under the action of gravity alone. (2015)
concrete, roller-compacted, RCC, n—concrete compacted
while fresh by a roller, often a vibratory roller. (R2015)
iTeh Standards
concrete, self-consolidating, SCC, n—concrete that can flow
(https://standards.iteh.ai)
around reinforcement and consolidate under its own weight
without additional effort and without exceeding specified
limits of segregation. (R2015)
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DISCUSSION—Project specifications shall indicate the acceptable seg-
regation based upon a specified test method. Test Method C1610/
C1610M provides a procedure for determining the degree of aggregate
segregation under static conditions and the Appendix of Test Method
ASTM the
C1611/C1611M describes a non-mandatory technique for assessing
degree of segregation under flowing conditions.
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/56436281-9416-46a8-a8f1-004614cff065/astm-c125-20
difference limit (d2s or d2s%), n—the difference between two
consistency, n—of a fresh cementitious mixture, the relative
mobility or ability to flow. (R2015)
DISCUSSION—This characteristic of fresh cementitious mixtures is
difficult to quantify and empirical test methods have been adopted to
provide indicators of consistency. For example, the slump test de-
scribed in Test Method C143/C143M is used for concrete, the flow
table method described in Test Method C1437 is used for mortar, and
the flow cone method described in Test Method C939 is used for grout.
consolidation, n—of cementitious mixtures, the process of
increasing the density of a fresh cementitious mixture in a
form, mold, or container by reducing the volume of voids.
(R2015)
DISCUSSION—Except for self-consolidating concrete, consolidation
is accomplished by inputting mechanical energy, typically by rodding,
tamping, tapping, vibration, or some combination of these actions.
Specific apparatus and methods for consolidation are defined in the
relevant C09 Standards.
crushed gravel—see gravel, crushed.
crushed stone—see stone, crushed.
curing, n—action taken to maintain moisture and temperature
conditions in a freshly-placed cementitious mixture to allow
hydraulic cement hydration and (if applicable) pozzolanic
C125 − 20
reactions to occur so that the potential properties of the
mixture may develop. (R2015)
curing compound—see compound, curing.
density, n—mass per unit volume of a material (preferred over
term unit weight). (2013)
DISCUSSION—For materials with pores that can become filled with
water, such as aggregate, different modifiers are applied to the term
density depending on which portions of the material are included in
defining the volume. The modifiers shown on the right are used:
Included in the Volume Modifier
Solid portion of material absolute
Solid portion of material plus impermeable pores apparent
Solid portion of material plus permeable and No modifier is used
impermeable pores
For example, the term apparent density would be the mass of the
solid material divided by the volume of solid material plus imperme-
able pores.
If permeable pores are included in the volume, a delimiting term
(or an abbreviation) is used in parentheses to define the moisture
condition of the permeable pores when mass is measured. These de-
limiting terms are oven-dry (OD) and saturated-surface-dry (SSD).
For example, the term density (SSD) would be the density of a po-
rous material in its SSD condition. The delimiting term is not used
with absolute density or apparent density, because permeable
pores are not included in the defining volume.
density, relative, n—the ratio of the density of material at a
stated temperature to the density of distilled water at that
stated temperature; if a temperature is not stated, it is
assumed to be 23°C [73.5°F]. (2013)
DISCUSSION—As discussed for the term density, for a porous material
(such as aggregate), different modifiers and delimiting terms are used
for relative density depending on which density of the material is used
in calculating the ratio. For example, apparent relative density refers
to the ratio of apparent density to the density of water and relative
density (SSD) refers to the ratio of density (SSD) to the density of
C125-20
water.
test results that is expected to be exceeded with a probability
of about 5 % in the normal and correct operation of the test
method; used as an index of precision of the test method.
(2019)
DISCUSSION—The difference limit (d2s%) is used if the coefficient of
variation is used as the statistic to define single-operator and multilabo-
ratory precision. Refer to Practice C670 for additional discussion.
duration, impact, n—the time that the impactor used to
generate stress waves is in contact with the test surface; also
referred to as contact time. (2015)
elongated piece (of aggregate) , n—a particle of aggregate for
which the ratio of the length to width of its circumscribing
rectangular prism is greater than a specified value (see also
flat piece (of aggregate)). (R2015)
engineer, licensed professional, n—an individual who is
licensed to practice engineering as defined by the statutory
requirements of the professional licensing laws of the
governing jurisdiction; also referred to as registered profes-
sional engineer. (R2015)
entrained air—see air, entrapped.
entrapped air—see air, entrained.